Suffolk DA: BWI charges dropped in deadly Mattituck boating accident

BWI charges have been dropped against the boat operator in a fatal Mattituck crash.

News 12 Staff

Nov 22, 2019, 5:29 PM

Updated 1,626 days ago

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BWI charges have been dropped against the boat operator in a fatal Mattituck crash.
The Suffolk County DA's Office made the announcement today.
Frank DiStefano, 48, of East Northport, was arrested in connection to the boating accident that happened earlier this month. The 39-foot boat slammed into a Mattituck bulkhead, killing 27-year-old Kelley Blanchard, of Riverhead.
The DA's office says a toxicology report indicated DiStefano's blood alcohol content was under the legal threshold for a criminal charge.
Blanchard's father tells News 12 he's disappointed the criminal charge was dropped.
The 39-foot boat remains impounded behind the town of Southold Police Department because the Suffolk DA says the investigation into the crash is ongoing.


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